שֶׁ֖מֶן לַמָּאֹ֑ר בְּשָׂמִים֙ לְשֶׁ֣מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֔ה וְלִקְטֹ֖רֶת הַסַּמִּֽים׃
minyak untuk penerangan, rempah-rempah untuk minyak urapan dan untuk ukupan wangi-wangian,
Bereshit Rabbah
“God called the firmament heavens. It was evening and it was morning, a second day” (Genesis 1:8).
“God called the firmament heavens [shamayim]” – Rav said: [The word indicates] fire [esh] and water [mayim]. Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said in the name of Rav: The Holy One blessed be He took fire and water and integrated them with one another, and from them the heavens were made. Alternatively, shamim is written,22The letters of shamayim can also be read shamim. as they assess [shamim] the actions of the people. If they merit, “the heavens declare his righteousness” (Psalms 97:6); if not, “the heavens reveal his iniquity” (Job 20:27).
Another matter, shamayim – because the creations wonder [mishtomem] in their regard, saying: ‘Of what do they consist? Are they of fire, are they of water? It is a wonder.’ Rabbi Pinḥas said in the name of Rabbi Levi: He [God] came and settled it: “He roofs His upper chambers with water” (Psalms 104:3); that is, they are of water.
[Another interpretation: The word indicates] dyes [samim] – just as with dyes, some are green, some are red, some are black, and some are white, so, too, the heavens, at times they are green, at times they are red, at times they are black, and at times they are white.
Rabbi Yitzḥak said: “Shamayim” – sa mayim, bearing water.23The upper waters are on top of the heavens.
It is analogous to milk that was placed in a bowl. Until a drop of rennet falls into it, it is loose. When one drop of rennet falls into it, it congeals and becomes set [omed]. So, too, “The pillars [amudei] of heaven were loose” (Job 26:11) – the heavens became set when He put His rennet in them, “and it was evening and it was morning, a second day.”24This took place on the second day. This is in accordance with what Rav said: They were moist on the first day and congealed on the second day.
“God called the firmament heavens [shamayim]” – Rav said: [The word indicates] fire [esh] and water [mayim]. Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said in the name of Rav: The Holy One blessed be He took fire and water and integrated them with one another, and from them the heavens were made. Alternatively, shamim is written,22The letters of shamayim can also be read shamim. as they assess [shamim] the actions of the people. If they merit, “the heavens declare his righteousness” (Psalms 97:6); if not, “the heavens reveal his iniquity” (Job 20:27).
Another matter, shamayim – because the creations wonder [mishtomem] in their regard, saying: ‘Of what do they consist? Are they of fire, are they of water? It is a wonder.’ Rabbi Pinḥas said in the name of Rabbi Levi: He [God] came and settled it: “He roofs His upper chambers with water” (Psalms 104:3); that is, they are of water.
[Another interpretation: The word indicates] dyes [samim] – just as with dyes, some are green, some are red, some are black, and some are white, so, too, the heavens, at times they are green, at times they are red, at times they are black, and at times they are white.
Rabbi Yitzḥak said: “Shamayim” – sa mayim, bearing water.23The upper waters are on top of the heavens.
It is analogous to milk that was placed in a bowl. Until a drop of rennet falls into it, it is loose. When one drop of rennet falls into it, it congeals and becomes set [omed]. So, too, “The pillars [amudei] of heaven were loose” (Job 26:11) – the heavens became set when He put His rennet in them, “and it was evening and it was morning, a second day.”24This took place on the second day. This is in accordance with what Rav said: They were moist on the first day and congealed on the second day.
Midrash Tanchuma Buber
Another interpretation (of Exod. 25:3): AND THIS IS THE PRIESTLY SHARE…: [GOLD, SILVER, AND BRONZE]. GOLD corresponds to the kingdom of Babylon, concerning which is written (in Dan. 2:38): YOU (Nebuchadnezzar) ARE THE HEAD OF GOLD.21Tanh., Exod. 7:7; cf. Exod. R. 35:5; above, 3:15. SILVER: This denotes the kingdom of Media, concerning which is written (in Esth. 3:9): THREE THOUSAND TALENTS OF SILVER.22The money was to be Haman’s payment into the treasury of the king of the Persians and Medes. AND BRONZE: This denotes the kingdom of Greece, which was the least of them all. (Exod. 25:5:) REDDENED (rt.: 'DM) RAM SKINS. This denotes the kingdom of Edom, as stated (in Gen. 25:25): THE FIRST (i.e., Esau) CAME FORTH RUDDY (rt: 'DM).23See also above, Gen. 8:4. The Holy One said: Although you have seen these four kingdoms exalting over you, by your life, I am producing salvation for you out of the midst of slavery. What is written next (in Exod. 25:6)? OIL FOR LIGHTING (ma'or). What is the meaning of LIGHTING? This denotes the Messianic (Mashiah) King, as stated (in Ps. 132:17): THERE I WILL MAKE A HORN SPROUT FOR DAVID; [I HAVE PREPARED A LAMP FOR MY ANOINTED ONE (Mashiah)].24Below, 8:6. When Daniel saw these [four] kingdoms, he was afraid. It is so stated (in Dan. 7:15): AS FOR ME, DANIEL, MY SPIRIT WAS DISTURBED <WITHIN ME; AND THE VISION OF MY HEAD ALARMED ME>. What did Daniel see? It is simply that, when Nebuchadnezzar saw the dream, Daniel came and interpreted it for him. He said to him (in Dan. 2:38): YOU (Nebuchadnezzar) ARE THE HEAD OF GOLD. (Dan. 2:32:) <THE HEAD OF THAT STATUE WAS OF FINE GOLD;> ITS BREAST AND ITS ARMS WERE OF SILVER. This <silver> denotes the kingdom of Babylon.25Cf. the Oxford MS, marked, “Michael 577, no. 155”; Codex Vaticanus, Ebr., 34; and the parallels in Tanh., Exod. 7:7 and Exod. R. 35:5. They all read here, “Kingdom of Media,” and identify the other kingdoms to fit this rendering. (Dan. 2:39:) BUT ANOTHER KINGDOM SHALL ARISE AFTER YOU, INFERIOR TO YOU. (Dan. 2:32:) ITS BELLY AND ITS THIGHS WERE OF BRONZE. This denotes the kingdom of Media. (Dan. 2:39, cont.:) THEN YET A THIRD KINGDOM, ONE OF BRONZE, WHICH SHALL RULE OVER THE WHOLE EARTH. (Dan. 2:33:) ITS LEGS WERE OF IRON. This denotes the kingdom of Greece. (Dan. 2:40, 42:) BUT THE FOURTH KINGDOM SHALL BE AS STRONG AS IRON<….> {AND ITS} [THE] FEET26The Masoretic Text renders, “AND THE TOES OF THE FEET.” WERE PARTLY {OF} IRON AND PARTLY {OF} CLAY. This is Edom. Why was it likened to iron and clay? Our masters have said: This wicked kingdom is going to use clay coinage.
Midrash Tanchuma
This is the offering which ye shall take of them: gold, etc. (Exod. 25:3). The gold corresponds to the kingdom of Babylon, as it is written concerning her: Thou art the head of gold (Gen. 2:38); the silver corresponds to the kingdom of Media, as is written: And I will pay ten thousand talents of silver (Est. 3:9); and the brass corresponds to the kingdom of Greece, which was the least (powerful) of all. And rams’ skins dyed red corresponds to the kingdom of Edom, for it is said: And the first came forth ruddy (Gen. 25:25).10A play on words, linking Esau who was born ruddy (adom) with Edom. The Holy One, blessed be He, said: Even though you suffered because of the four arrogant kingdoms that attacked you, I will bring salvation unto you from the midst of servitude. As it is written: The oil for the light, (Exod. 25:6). This refers to the Messiah, as it is said: There will I make a horn to shoot up unto David, there have I ordered a lamp for Mine anointed (Ps. 132:17).